The Benefits of Being MWLBE-Certified

The SCA's Mentor Program provides qualified and certified MWLBEs with training and opportunities to work on SCA projects.

For firms that do not qualify for the Mentor Program, the SCA makes other provisions to encourage MWLBE participation on its contracts. For its construction projects, the SCA stipulates that contractors demonstrate a good faith effort to subcontract 20 percent of the work to an MWBE firms and 10 percent to LBEs. On personal services contracts, one of the evaluation criteria is the extent to which a consultant firm uses MWLBEs, either as subconsultants or as joint venture (JV) partners. Firms not engaged in construction are not eligible for LBE certification. 

Requirements for Certifying as an MWBE

To be certified as a minority or woman-owned business enterprise, a business must:

  • Be in operation for at least one year;
  • Operate in New York or possess a license issued by New York City; 
  • At minimum, be 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a woman or a member of an ethnic minority group;
  • Existing businesses whose ownership and control has been transferred to minorities or women must be in the control of the minorities/women a minimum of one year prior to applying for certification.  

To complete the online certification application, click the following link: Certification Application.

Requirements for Certifying as a LBE

In order to be certified as a locally based enterprise, a company must:

  • Be in operation for at least one year;
  • Be in the general contracting business, the heavy construction business, the mechanical and electrical business, or specialty construction activities such as painting, landscaping, fencing, fireproofing, etc.; 
  • Derive 25 percent or more of its gross receipts from business conducted in economically disadvantaged areas (as defined by the NYC Department of City Planning) within New York City; AND 
  • Hire Vietnam era veterans and/or welfare recipients to comprise at least 25 percent of their workforce; and 
  • Have average annual gross receipts of under $2.167 million for all construction and construction-related work during the past three years.

In order to establish these minimum requirements and provide other required information, MWLBE businesses should complete the online certification application and provide all supporting documentation, i.e., ownership records, stock certificates, and tax returns.

To complete the online certification application, click Certification Application.

Recertification

Firms are certified for a period of three years. In order to be recertified, firms are required to complete an online application. Firms are strongly encouraged to recertify at least six months before their certification status expires. For assistance with your recertification application, contact the BDD Hotline at (718) 472-8899, Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm.

MWLBE Certification Appeals

A firm whose application for MWLBE certification is denied has the right to appeal this decision within ten days of receipt of the denial letter. The appeal should include a description of the reason(s) the firm owner believes the denial is in error, and include any supporting documentation. 

All appeals must be submitted electronically through the Vendor Access System (VAS). VAS can be accessed through https://dobusiness.nycsca.org/login.aspx by using the firm’s log-in credentials. 

All appeals must be addressed to:

Ms. Nadine Rivellese, General Counsel
New York City School Construction Authority
30-30 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101

If the applicant firm fails to appeal within ten days, the Director's determination will be final.  The General Counsel's decision concerning the appeal will constitute the final determination. The applicant may not reapply for certification for two years if the appeal is denied. If facts and circumstances forming the basis of the denial have changed significantly, then the applicant may request permission to apply sooner.

Denial of MWLBE certification does not preclude a firm from seeking contracts with the NYC School Construction Authority.